Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

162 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the information and means of giving assistance, if any, which is available to parents who pay private fees to tutors and psychologists for their children who suffer from specific learning difficulties; the number of primary school psychologists available; the length of the waiting list; the class or stage at which children get appointments; whether this class or stage is approved; and the financial help, if any, which is given to the Association for Children with Learning Difficulties or individual parents paying privately. [10615/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

It is open to any parent to engage private tutors for their children or to arrange to have psychological assessments carried out by private arrangement. My Department has no involvement in such matters.

In 1990, my Department commenced the process of introducing a psychological service to primary schools. At present, a total of 13 psychologists work exclusively in the primary sector and serve approximately 400 primary schools. As a matter of priority, this service is focused on schools serving disadvantaged areas in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and south Tipperary. It is intended that this service will be expanded further as resources permit.

Pupils, parents and teachers have access to the school psychological service through the relevant school principal. Members of the service carry out assessments as quickly as resources of time and personnel allow. They also provide advice to remedial and class teachers in relation to pupils who may have various problems, including specific learning difficulties.